But, in the last year or so, our economy has changed and my overdeveloped skills in multitasking were no longer in constant use. Deadlines were still tighter than ever, but I wasn’t juggling as many of them at one time. I could even go out for lunch some days! It was as if my work life was given a newer, more human dimension, and I liked it. I had more time to refresh my knowledge base and reenergize my creativity. Our teams developed tighter connectivity with each other and we all began to have a better life, outside of our work and studio time.

Many Architects in Vancouver and Calgary have moved to a 4-day workweek during this slower economy, with little complaints. I’ve explored many options for this extra day, as a professional development opportunity, or to spend more time with family and friends. Through classes and dinner parties, this renewed face-to-face social activity has counteracted years of social isolationism that our email world has created between colleagues and friends. We now talk, connect, observe: all the little things which we have missed when our lives were much more demanding.

In work, all of this new time can make it easier to become distracted and lose focus – especially when you are used to years of constant, driven activity. Certain philosophies I’ve created over the years to manage time still work in this new slower paced world, plus I have discovered some new gems!

I’ve always only answered voice and email messages at set times, and I never take business related phone calls during my evening hours. My clients know my system, and they know that I return phone calls within 2 hours, unless I let them know via voicemail message that I am away for longer. Even during busy times, I’ve never felt guilty about not being “on-demand”. Managing my time to my advantage, allowing focus on the work required, ensures high quality consistent design solutions for my clients. Distraction destroys both efficiency and good work.

Scott Young expresses a new philosophy I’ve recently adopted in “The 4-hour Workday”.
This productivity strategy has really worked well for me, and I love the efficiency it creates – in either a fast or slow paced environment.

Despite a rough economy, I have to admit that I am really enjoying a downshift to a much more healthy lifestyle and attitude. The most surprising fact is that I truly believe that I actually accomplish more than in years past – plus there is no doubt that I live better. Speaking of which, I think it’s time to head down to the beach!

But it’s just a building, just space, right? Wrong. Bad architecture can be detrimental to business in a variety of ways: space that is too expensive to run; leases that can’t be escaped in times of recession; inflexible square footage (too much or too little); poor building footprints that don’t support flexible internal design; infrastructure that can’t evolve with changing technologies; environments that poison and pollute. Most importantly, what does the architecture that houses your organization say about your business and your values? Does it support the way you operate your business? How your employees function?

These days, real estate isn’t so real anymore. It’s no longer necessary for us to sit behind a desk from 9 to 5 – five days a week anymore. Armed with our PDA’s and portable internet access for our laptops, we can work from pretty much anywhere. It’s starting to seem that our downtown cores, full of big glass office buildings that, due to enthusiastic overbuilding and poorly conceived architecture, fail to meet the needs of occupants and how we now work. Office design is changing at such an accelerated pace; if we continue our reliance on old philosophies for architecture and construction, we are just creating more dinosaur buildings and offices.

Right now, you may be thinking that now is not the time for your company to re-think your office design. The reality is that it’s the perfect time. Look around your office; how is it being used? Do people spend most of their time in their workstations on individual tasks, or are they often interacting and collaborating in informal meetings? Are meeting rooms in constant use, or do they stand empty more often than not? Was your office planned with you in mind, or are you simply repeating a design methodology established years ago?

It’s often an eye-opening experience for my clients when we do an optimization study of their existing office space. It quickly becomes very clear what is supportive to your work style, what is inefficient and what could evolve. For instance, overstated filing requirements, poor workstation design and excessive corridor space will bloat office densities to over 20 square metres per person. A reasonable target could be as low as 15 square metres per person, or a potential savings of 25%, while maximizing the potential of your personal and collaborative work areas.

Efficiency in the physical office environment is only half of the story; improvements in the effectiveness of the intelligent office are tantamount to overall success. These improvements can include: better support space; wider range of work settings; spaces that stimulate interaction; aesthetics that project the right corporate image. Responsive design in these areas allows intelligent office users with the necessary resources to keep up with evolving working demands.

Licensed professional designers are qualified by experience and education to assess your workspace and suggest planning changes to help your organization become more efficient and effective. We are also an excellent resource when you are looking for new office space, to assist you in making the best choices based on your needs, preparing concept plans to graphically compare different buildings and how your office might be organized within. We are in a new time, with a new economic outlook. It’s time for a fresh approach to all of your business resources, including your working environment.

Together, we can rethink work processes and skillfully find the best and most profitable ways of managing change; ensuring your office environment evolves with your work style.

“Good design is good business.”  Thomas Watson Jr., IBM

The move towards smaller, more efficient space also enhances our drive towards sustainable living.  When beginning the design of a home, we like to  introduce our clients to the principles of the Slow Home, which we endorse as a wonderful way to move towards sustainable choices: http://www.theslowhome.com

Designsmith Planning Exercise #01 showcases how we are able to use the Slow Home three principles of Close, Simple and Light to renew and revitalize a client’s Kitsilano Condominium.

CLOSE -living in a walkable neighborhood that is near where you work:
Situated just steps from Kits Beach and in the heart of one of Vancouver’s most beautiful walkable neighbourhoods, our client’s condominium is ideally located.  Excellent transit and bike route proximity makes travel options to and from the downtown core a simple 10-minute bus or bike ride away.  The condominium itself is a well-maintained, architecturally sound 1950’s four storey – a signature building with a sense of place and history of the neighbourhood.
•    Target – Bingo!  It’s perfect!

Kits Condo Plan - Before

SIMPLE – living in a home that fits your life:
Although the 700SF One Bedroom condo is a generous size by current construction standards, a poor quality renovation in the 80’s, coupled with north facing street level windows made this large space seem small, dark and uninviting.  Walls are poorly placed and the plan does not suit the lifestyle and needs of our client.

Client Pros: Location and Size of Condo 

Client Cons: Wasted space in Kitchen and Bedroom, Inefficient appliance and fixtures, Poor quality construction, Exposed plumbing conduit in the living room.

•    Target – as a single urban professional, our client wants a more open, modern and bright space. The space needs to be great for entertaining, but comfortable enough for a quiet night in. Better space use and storage solutions are needed, without compromising daylighting throughout the space.

Kits Condo Plan - After

LIGHT -living in a home that has less impact on the environment:
Buying into an older building is one of the best choices one can make in reducing your living space environmental footprint.  As our client found the old plan of the condo dark and cramped, a new plan found more efficient ways to create flow and openness within the same square footage.

•    Target – Thoughtful planning averts major plumbing and electrical work or relocations. Energy efficient fixtures and appliances are used and lighting needs have been greatly reduced by dimmable halogen lighting. Open weave roller blinds for the windows preserve privacy but don’t block out the essential daylight, which now flows through the home.

Comprehensive planning turns this well located home into a beautiful living space with minimal impact on the environment, both in construction and its day-to-day lifecycle. Everything is chosen to enhance the architectural space and reflect the client’s individuality and lifestyle. In a city full of generic One Bedroom condo offerings, this unique, well-appointed space stands out and will return a good investment – even in a competitive market.

As our lives change and evolve, shouldn’t how we use our home?  Think about how your home is planned and compartmentalized.  By rethinking spaces and non-structural partitions with a design professional, you can revitalize your traditional home into one that truly improves the quality of how you live.  The size of space becomes less of a factor when well planned.  Think about your spaces, and don’t always always assume bigger is better!

I also encourage you to explore the Slow Home website and take the Slow Home Test.  It’s very simple to do and also the results will show you what elements of your living space and style are sustainable (in the true sense of the meaning) so you can emulate the Slow Home ideal and ”take more control of your home and improve the quality of how you live, while reducing your environmental impact and futureproofing the long term investment value of your home.”

Consider the ‘Slow Home Declaration’ – and leave a positive legacy for our future generations.

Each New Year we review the past and predict changes for the upcoming months. As designers, we wonder in what direction what tastes will change, technologies will emerge and what new design trends will be pushed through media and other outlets.

As licensed professional designers, we must be aware of what is happening in our industry – which trend or element will be in the forefront? But we don’t simply adopt these verbatim within our design, but use them as a springboard to stretch our imaginations, developing unique and dynamic interiors.   My research for 2009 has uncovered many fantastic new elements.  I believe these Nine will be drivers of this year’s fresh and creative design solutions:

1.    Art Nouveau:

Glamour is back!  This nature and organic-influenced style injects much-needed sophistication to our homage to the environment and the earth. From art, lighting, textiles to furnishings, there is a wealth of choices to integrate this beautiful style into homes and workplaces.

2.    Metallics:

Gold is the freshest way to showcase metallic. Fine threads of gold in fabrics contrasted with heavy, showy metal pieces. There is no wrong way to do metallics right now – even at the office!

3.    Natural Woods:

The natural beauty of wood elements has become the new touchstone of interior design. There is going to be shift to lighter finishes that is really going to keep this element popular. Dark wood is not over, but we’re evolving to more subtle gray toned stains and strong-grained species.

4.    Bold Patterns:

Ethnic and Classical patterning is back in all formats.  Bold strong colours and weaves in textiles, carpets and wallcoverings (or murals) are a great way to inject some personality into a plain room without a lot of effort.  Look for Architectural or Ethnic patterns and palettes, modernized through unexpected colour combinations or large pattern scales.

5.    Comfort:

Showcase or staged interiors are falling out of favour. Rather than creating a space to impress, more clients are interested in transforming their homes into a personal refuge that is chic, peaceful, inviting and easy to maintain where they can relax and unwind.  Workspace designs are simpler and softer, encouraging interaction and movement.

6.    Accessories:

The easiest way to warm up a space and tell your story.  Look towards personal touches, such as books. Stacked high next to a reading chair they can create a casual and inviting area.  Indulge in the extraordinary, from old family treasures, your child’s art, to your grandmother’s tableware, always keeping in mind your overall style direction.

7.    White:

White is above all associated with lightness and clarity, something we may need a lot of this year!  In design, White is timeless and very complementary in combination with all colours and even with itself, in it’s various tones.  It is a fantastic base for textures, such as wool or leather, matte or glossy.  A little bit of white can be very uplifting!

8.    Outdoor spaces:

Whether it be a small yard or deck space, we are continuing their transformation into intimate and elegant living spaces as an extension of your home.  The high-quality design and innovative materials of today’s outdoor furniture opens completely new perspectives. Designed to survive our Canadian weather, there are now many choices to create a stylish and comfortable outdoor oasis for your home.

9.    Sustainability:

Always the common denominator.  We’ve moved well beyond the warm and fuzzy ‘eco-friendly’ labels and have become much more savvy about what Sustainability truly means.  In 2009, we retain our enthusiasm for fresh and spontaneous ideas, creating designs that are truly innovative without losing our sense of the past.

As the centre of the home, the kitchen needs to be functional for both cooking and gathering.  As cooks and families evolve, these functions evolve too, and the design has to keep up!  You’ve decided that it’s time to update your kitchen. So where do you start?  And how much is it going to cost?

With a primary focus on green design practice, I encourage renewal instead of demolition for existing parts of a space that still function well.  The more we are able to limit waste is better for both the earth and your budget. A remodel doesn’t have to break the bank if you make the right choices.

Your first step is to consider how well the space currently functions for you.  How does the natural light filter into the room?  Is the size and placement of the appliances and sink appropriate to your cooking style?  Do you have enough cabinet storage?  Knowing how your current kitchen responds to your needs is the first step.  If you are moving into a new home, I encourage a minimum 6-week trial of the current kitchen first, as it’s difficult to make the right decisions without experience.

Second, create a reasonable budget.  In my previous article on smart renovation, you need to have a good understanding of your homes’ value to determine the percentage appropriate for renovation.  You want to keep this number as low as possible.

Now you are ready to begin planning your renovation.  Keep in mind these 6 tips:
•    Use the existing footprint as a template for the new kitchen.  Look at walls that could be moved or removed, enclosed spaces that could be opened up and underutilized areas that could be repurposed.

•    Retain your existing plumbing or appliance locations if possible.  Rerouting these services is costly and the money could be better utilized in more tangible ways.

•    Don’t buy all new appliances if the existing ones still work effectively.  I’ve never supported purchasing matching appliance suites; you risk getting an average appliance simply because it’s the same make and model as the others.  Be patient and wait until you can afford the appliance that will best suit your needs, and simply co-ordinate the finish with the others.

•    Go for the cabinetry organizational gadgets.  I love Ikea kitchens for this; the rolling pantries, the articulating shelves etc.  Rubbermaid also make a lot of fantastic options, which can really multiply the usable space in ordinary cabinets.

•    Consider pre-engineered modular cabinetry.  Ideally, your existing cabinetry could be renewed, but if that is not an option, modular cabinetry, such as Ikea or Boffi could be an excellent choice to save on the cost of custom-fitted millwork.

•    Research different countertop materials which will perform to your expectations.  Granite and Marble can be expensive, so consider a quartzite material such as Silestone or CaesarStone, which have the look and feel of natural stone, but are naturally antibacterial and perform much better.

Any kind of remodel is a lot of time and hard work.  You may want to consider using the experience and skill of an educated and trained interior design professional.  We can save you countless headaches, delays and ultimately save you money. We can advise on your best choices, where to focus, how to get it done and where your money is most effectively spent. As your designer we consider your needs, lifestyle, preferences, schedule, budget and building codes in creating your dream kitchen; the heart of your home.

Walking through the front doors, the interior foyer gleams with new golden porcelain tile floors, maple-panelled walls and recycled/recyclable carpet tiles.  The impression from most of the guests at the opening was that this was an entirely new, purpose-built facility, and I heard many comments of surprise, when informed that the building was in fact the old downtown pre-trial centre.

Building renewal is currently not a popular concept with Vancouver urbanites.  Most tend toward newly built, modern offices and homes.  I find this interesting given that most of these same individuals are very concerned about environmental issues!

Let’s face it – the most responsible form of Green Design utilizes our existing building stock.  Preserving and re-using our aging buildings preserves the energy and materials embedded within their walls.  It also reduces the requirement for new and additional resource use for the construction of something new.  Green renovation also limits land consumption and ecosystem modification – not to mention additional infrastructure.  The preservation of our older buildings is of special significance to sustainability.

Renovation is not without it’s obstacles; there may be the presence of lead based paint and asbestos, systems have to be brought up to current code standards, and older windows and doors may not be energy efficient.  In the Vancouver Community Court building, the interior was completely brought back to its raw state, and new, efficient air handling, plumbing, lighting and data systems were set in place.  Together with a new interior plan and custom designed for the functionality of the occupants and community court process, the existing, sound building structure has been given a new, sustainable life.

As designers, we find that building renewal projects are especially ideal to sustainable design parameters: they are usually centrally located to mass transit, have operable windows, and are filled with old-growth timber and locally quarried stone – elements that can usually not be replaced in new construction.

Renovation also preserves a piece of history, symbolic of our culture and physical connection to our heritage, which can never be replaced. Can you imagine if Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water had been torn down, simply because the owner at one time wanted something new?  It’s hard to believe, but about 100 Frank Lloyd Wright structures were demolished within his lifetime, one even in 2003, and one nearly in 2004 to make way for a Chicago developers’ condo complex! You may not think that your mid 20th century home or building is of any historic value now, but that’s also how people felt about older Victorian era buildings in the 30’s and 40’s, which we now pause to preserve.  We can’t continue to be shortsighted.  Our older buildings are a non-renewable resource, which shouldn’t be discarded.

This wellness trend is being seen many of my client’s requests for luxury bathroom design.  We are now viewing the bathroom suite as a home spa, where one can refresh the senses, or relax and retreat in the evening. Some our favourite designs incorporate:

Green Scene
Even in luxury bathrooms, eco-friendly items are becoming popular. Products which minimize resource and energy use are being requested, such as Caroma dual-action toilets, water saving showerheads from Grohe, and lighting with lower energy usage.  Renewal is also a big trend, with the use or retention of antique and reclaimed flooring and tiles.  Everyday bathroom products such as paper supplies, soaps, lotions, etc., come in high-quality versions that are earth-friendly as well, such as Jo Malone, Korres or the Body Shop.

Organic Shapes
Square and straight in bathroom products are a thing of the past.  Clean lines, soft shapes and light, smaller scale fixtures such as Sphinx and Vitra.  Soft, flowing designs with rounded and oval shapes for sinks and bathtubs are more visually pleasing and their smaller scale lends a sense of spaciousness to the room.  Limited lines and details are also easier to keep clean.

Tech Toilets
Usually overlooked in most bathroom design, the next generations of tech toilets have our clients wanting to replace their traditional toilets with these energy efficient models.  Toto Drake and Caroma Caravelle lead the way in water saving technology. If you want luxury without having to replace your current toilet, Kohler features a new toilet seat, which features heated water cleansing much like a separate bidet would. The seat also boasts a three-temperature heated feature, a warm-air fan, a deodorizer, a lighted bowl for soft illumination and even a quiet-close seat closure mechanism.

Heated Feet
The ultimate luxury in bathrooms is the warmth underfoot.  Heat mats can be installed under many different flooring types, including stone and porcelain tile, giving a theraputic sense of comfort.  Other heated luxuries are towel racks and toilet seats, and we’ve also installed gas or alternate fuel fireplaces, to create a toasty, private retreat.

Sensory Indulgences
As the bathroom becomes more and more of a refuge from our busy lives, we are adding accessories that indulge our senses and help us relax. Beeswax or soy candles in a variety of scents provide aromatherapy to help us unwind and provide a soft glow, which can be more appealing to the eyes when trying to relax. High-performance sound systems can give you a kickstart in the morning blasting your favourite tunes, or provide soft relaxing background tones for a quiet escape. Refrigerated vanities and mirror cabinets can keep bath-side beverages cold along with your favorite cosmetic products. Bathroom accessories are the final touches when creating your personal sanctuary.

Health and wellness is taking centre stage in our living spaces and we are now treating bathrooms as more than just a place to bathe and brush your teeth, but as a private space to relax and regenerate. Look for bathroom design to continue to evolve as a key part of the home as a place of relaxation and health.

HOLISTIC DESIGN: THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERIOR DESIGN WITHIN THE INTEGRATED DESIGN PROCESS (IDP)
Margo L. Smith RID IDC IIDA
Designsmith Inc.

In all design disciplines, it is important to think holistically to create a successful end product.  Exterior design, interior design and engineering of a product are orchestrated in concert with one another.  In the auto industry, even the interior of a car is designed to the smallest detail before it starts production.  Each model’s interior is not a last-minute decision based on budget limitations; instead, all spatial requirements and functional needs of the owner are considered with equal importance to the exterior design and engineering.  A car can be beautiful on the outside and run efficiently, but if the interior is uncomfortable, frustrating to operate, or of inferior quality, it will diminish the owners experience and overall appreciation.  We need to look at the design of buildings and homes in the same light: all design elements must be fully integrated for its long-term success.

Too often in the construction industry, Interior design is dismissed as a secondary need in the design of buildings, offices and homes.  It is fact that the exterior affects the interior and vice versa, and the end user is the main driver of how the space is to be utilized.  As with the car, the architecture of a building might be pretty spectacular from the outside, but the end user spends most of their time on the inside.  How well do the interiors accommodate their needs with effective space planning and design, which caters to their specific job functions, personalities or corporate identities?

As a professional interior designer, how often have you been brought into the project well into the construction phase, where you uncover major issues affecting the implementation of interior design components, which could so easily have been identified and remedied before concrete had been poured, lighting or mechanical systems have been roughed in, or walls had been framed?  How many office buildings have you seen where spaces are wasted or rendered virtually unusable due to placement of services or other elements without consideration to the functions and needs of the end user?  How often have you had to negotiate to try to get these elements corrected on behalf of your client, without antagonizing the rest of the professional team and the work they have already produced in good faith?

The solution is simple; all professionals, including Interior Design professionals, should begin all projects with the Integrated Design Process (IDP).  Already a successful, well known collaborative methodology, the IDP was pioneered by BC architect, Teresa Coady MAIBC, to facilitate the smooth delivery of complex projects with high performance targets.  The IDP facilitates the reduction of construction costs and project efficiency by bringing all stakeholders to the table – Owner/Developer, Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, and Builder – to address the design requirements of the entire project.  Reducing construction costs, maintaining realistic budgets, facilitating constant communication with up-to-date information, and producing maximum efficiency are only some of the benefits of the IDP.  As a team, understanding each specialist’s approach to attaining the project goals ensures the client receives a well thought out and innovative, holistic design.

Whole building design with the IDP will only be successful with all aspects of the project considered.  A building requires all elements designed – exterior and interior – before it goes through the tender process.  Regardless of economy, we are always searching for the highest quality for the lowest bid.  Without specifications clearly defined, construction “allowances” often fall short of owner expectations.  An ambiguous scope within any part of the project creates potential for expensive extra costs and delays.  It is so important that clear design and specifications for all interior elements be part of the IDP holistic design at the tendering period, including lighting, millwork, finish selection, space planning, FF&E (furnishings, fixtures and equipment) and even accessories.

In this era of fast track projects and tight budget control, it is as important as ever to create an integrated consultant team with the Owner/Developer, Architect, Interior Design professional, Engineers, Landscape Architect and Builder, spending the time to address and specify the project in it’s entirety prior to tender.  Considering the project holistically – exterior and interior – with equal importance, is the advantage to controlling project costs and ensuring the end result exceeds the owner’s goals and expectations.

You’d be surprised that the humble office task chair is the most common complaint of clients we interview, yet is often the most overlooked and under-researched purchase.  You’ve all sat in a brutal chair; one that is uncomfortable, nonadjustable, and constantly sinks when you sit in it.  You suffer with it for a few years as the parts drop off week after week, then, when it finally gives up the ghost, you go and buy the same cheap task chair from the office supply catalogue – repeating the cycle. Any way you look at it that is neither a good economic, ecologic or ergonomic solution.

There are so many fantastic office chairs out there, that I’d like to introduce you to three of my favourites for this year:

Steelcase “Think” Chair (Designed by Glen Oliver Low)

This has been my personal office chair for the past 3 years.  I love the flexible mesh back and added lumbar support, plus it has just enough adjustability to really fit how I work.  I hate an overly complex chair and this one is truly intuitive.  I chose the extra design element of chrome legs, adding a stylish element to all of the functionality.   One of the best features about this chair is that it is truly “green”. The Steelcase Think chair is the first product to ever receive Cradle to Cradle™ Product Certification from McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC).

Herman Miller “Mirra” Chair (Designed by Studio 7.5)

Taking the success of the ‘Aeron’ chair further, the ‘Mirra’, in my opinion, far outshines the other excellent chairs in Herman Miller lineup.  It is also a flexible back chair, only this time in a funky elastic Tri-flex material. The overall adjustability of this chair is amazing and the back support is subtle but very efficient.  In terms of green design, this chair is a frontrunner. Mirra is made of a minimal number of parts and is easily disassembled for recycling; the recycled content is high, and it’s 96 percent recyclable.

Eames Aluminum Executive Chair (Designed by Charles and Ray Eames)

1958.  Not exactly known as an innovative year for office design, but the Eames’ were truly ahead of their time when they developed their Executive Chair, which is still a contender 60 years later.  With its distinctive ribbed upholstery, it is not only a beautiful aesthetic, but is surprisingly comfortable even by today’s standards, with contours that conform to the body’s shape.  Enhanced by a new flexible mesh upholstery option, this design classic was well ahead of its time and still an excellent choice for today’s offices.  Although the 50’s and 60’s were not exactly environmentally focused times, again, the Eames were one step ahead:  The Aluminum executive chair is comprised of 67% recycled materials, and at the end of it’s useful life, is up to 90% recyclable, and manufactured according to the principles of the McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC).

These are just my top 3 favourite office chairs of this year… there is so much choice out there, so why not do a little test drive of some quality products to see which one is the best fit for you?   A well-designed ergonomic chair from a top quality manufacturer doesn’t have to break the bank, but will improve your working posture, and will last a lot longer than the office supply catalogue’s ‘red dot special’.  Plus, you won’t be relegating those cheap, non-recyclable chairs to the landfill year after year, as your well-designed, environmentally sustainable task chair will perform for years to come, and will return to the recycling stream at the end of their useful life.

For more information on these products and certifications, please visit:
http://www.steelcase.com/na/think_products.aspx?f=11845
http://www.mbdc.com/
http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/1,1592,a4-c1008-p205,00.html
http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/1,1592,a4-c1008-p39,00.html

Bureaucrats and politicians are faced with the complexities of trying to blanket a single environmental practice over a vast and diverse nation. However, the daily living needs of Bob in rural Saskatchewan are quite different than Jill in urban Vancouver, and unique again for Lars in Iqualuit. We’ve seen a single prescriptive solution for all tried before and we know it doesn’t work.  As professional Interior Designers, we don’t coerce clients into choosing a single, pre-made solution, instead we tailor make each design specifically to meet the clients’ individual needs, and this includes sustainable materials best suited to each client’s lifestyle.

Sustainability is defined as a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment, so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also in the indefinite future.  Not being psychic, it’s impossible to predict what the needs of the future may be.  Bringing it closer, many of us think in terms of borrowing the earth from our children, but we need to think beyond our lifetime. One philosophy I quite like is adopted from the First Nations; a commitment to the seventh generation, or approximately 150 years in the future. This is a more effective time frame to think of sustainability.  But we need to balance this philosophy with the fundamental tenet of sustainability – starting by meeting human needs right now.

Looking at our living and working environments, they are spaces where we eat, sleep, work, meet, spend time with family, clients, house possessions, maintain our lives.  How we use these spaces is as unique as ourselves; a home or workspace might be a showcase, or a refuge. How do we create an interior environment we enjoy, worthy of the time, materials and money required to create it, plus have a lighter impact on our earth and resources?

New products and technologies are constantly evolving with demand and as registered professional Interior Designers, we research and update our resource libraries daily.  Tell us at the beginning of your project if you are passionate about implementing sustainable design principles in your home or office project.  By understanding your needs and wants, together with our knowledge of the use of certified green materials, we can create a unique, balanced interior environment, which meets your expectations and coexists seamlessly with nature.